Margaret Pauline Kendall

Margaret Pauline Kendall was born on Jan. 5, 1915 in Chinook, Mont. Her Norwegian immigrant parents, Andrew and Johanna Hansen, were living in Canada but crossed the border for Margaret's birth.

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Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

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Posted Mar. 13, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Updated Mar 13, 2013 at 2:13 PM

Posted Mar. 13, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Updated Mar 13, 2013 at 2:13 PM

Margaret Pauline Kendall was born on Jan. 5, 1915 in Chinook, Mont. Her Norwegian immigrant parents, Andrew and Johanna Hansen, were living in Canada but crossed the border for Margaret's birth. She died while residing in Yreka on Feb. 1, 2013.

After spending her early childhood in Canada, Margaret and her family moved to Oregon, then northern California, eventually landing in Phoenix, Ariz. in 1926. Her mother Johanna had health problems requiring a drier climate, and Margaret for a number of years, was her primary caregiver.

In Phoenix, Margaret married David G. Kendall on Christmas day in 1934. There, they had three children – David Carroll, Norma Jean and Jerry Lee. When the family moved to Texas in 1945, Margaret acquired a higher education and became a primary school teacher. She was particularly intelligent, even though she didn't have the benefits of a high school education; she still achieved extremely high marks upon entering college. In 1955 the family moved to Escondido, Calif., where Margaret continued her primary school teaching.

Beside Margaret's intelligence, she was gifted with a creative flair. She played the piano wonderfully and painted extensively, including large murals. Her creativity came through in many of the building projects that she and her husband endeavored upon. They built houses, apartments, cabins and sheds. She had a keen visionary eye with an industrious streak which also was found in her husband David.

Among her family, Margaret will certainly be remembered for her healthy and tasty cooking. From grinding her own grain to focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, Margaret turned out decades of healthy meals which certainly contributed to her 98-year lifespan. One of her sons said that she fed him so much carrot juice that he started to turn orange (true story). Home-made whole wheat pancakes topped with her personally canned apples were a particular family favorite.

Margaret's life cannot be fully remembered without telling about her passion for her Savior, Jesus Christ. For years she and her husband David would sing Christian hymns in nursing homes bringing much hope and encouragement. In her zeal to express God's love, she would hang wooden signs around her house, pointing people to the one who was the focal point of her life. Not everyone agreed with her methods, but the strength of her convictions was evident. Margaret was the mother of three, grandmother of seven, great-grandmother of seven (with one more on the way) and friend of many.

"She was without question, one-of-a-kind, and we will miss her dearly."

Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.girdnerfuneralchapel.com.